Q Media Writing Summary Leads Assignment 1 For instructors and students This assignment has two parts for you to complete. PART 1: With summary leads, journalists typically have to answer who? what? when? where? why? and how? Answers to the why? and how? may not always be in the lead. Sometimes there is more than one who, what or where. • For each of the following leads, identify the answers to the questions. • If one or more question is not answered in the lead, indicate that. a. (from Reuters story) OKLAHOMA CITY. – Tornadoes killed five people in central Oklahoma, including a mother and her baby, and menaced Oklahoma City and its hard-hit suburb of Moore, before the storm system tracked northeast early on Saturday. Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? b. (from AP story) HOUSTON -- Four firefighters searching for people they thought might be trapped in a blazing Houston motel and restaurant Friday were killed when part of the structure collapsed and ensnared them, authorities said. Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? c. (from AP story) LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The wraps came off Arkansas' largest ever economic development project Tuesday as Gov. Mike Beebe unveiled plans for a $1.1 billion steel mill along the Mississippi River that private investors are poised to build -- so long as legislators approve millions in startup funding. Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? PART 2: Write leads using the material provided for part A. and B. Make sure you follow the directions for each. Leads are one sentence, 30 words or less in the first paragraph. Part A. Write a summary lead for the following story. The information given may not follow AP style. Hint: The news is not about the press conference; it is what was said at the press conference. Double-space your lead. Who: Nebraska state legislator Jim Scheer. What: A press conference was held to announce his intent to run for Nebraska governor in the next election. Where: Steps of the state Capitol in Lincoln. When: At 3 p.m. Monday. What: "After serving on the Nebraska Unicameral and serving as chairman of the Finance Committee, I think the state needs new direction in keeping finances in check, and I think I can do that." (direct quote from Scheer) Why: "I think the state has been too narrowly focused on revenues and ways to bring in revenues. We have to improve the state’s economic outlook by improving every family’s economic outlook. We need to broaden the scope of what that looks like." (direct quote from Scheer) How: By expanding corporate and business financial options and creating an environment that is corporate, business and family friendly. Part B. Many stores might have more than one who, what, etc. You should read through the information to make sure you understand what facts are making this newsworthy. Review the news values. • Find the most important and timely who, what, when, where, why and how if today’s date is Friday, Dec. 30. • Then, write a summary lead for a story using the information below. Please double-space. • In the lead you write, make sure you correct any information not in AP style. • Remember leads are 30 words or less and one sentence in the first paragraph of a story. You are not writing the entire story, just the lead. . Who: What: When: Where: Why: How: Now Write a Summary lead: A luncheon honoring the six recipients was held with their supervisors and co-workers. Their photos will be displayed in locations on the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus. The honorees were rated on attendance, personal appearance, attitude and conduct toward co-workers and customers, initiative, responsibility, flexibility, efficiency, and courtesy. Custodial Supervisor Geneva Coleman announced the winners, who accepted their plaques to the applause and cheers of fellow custodians and management colleagues, who filled the lobby. Nina Buckingham, associate director of the department, enthusiastically concluded the ceremony with “heartfelt thanks” to all who made the department’s inaugural event a success. 6 employees were announced at the first-ever Custodial Services’ Employee-of-the Month presentation on Thursday, Dec. 29 in the lobby of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Employee-of-the-Month committee members were Jane Ball, David Crabtree, Latoya Minter, Roger Cayote, Nick Yanike and Frank Esperanza. UNMC’s School of Medicine’s James Smith, Tassoula Nicoli, Diane Barks-Brown, Giovanni D’Angelo, Megan Borkington and Heather Pouncy, were honored as Employees of the Month for January through June, respectively, by a committee of their peers.